Article identification and security tag

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to article identification and protection and pertains more particularly to seals having theft-deterrent capability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One type of article identification device having security aspects and having virtual universal applicability to articles is the so-called “seal”, such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,932. The seal of the '932 patent comprises a plastic body having a flexible cord (tail) passing through and secured in the body and extending outwardly of the body to a tail free end which has a securement member affixed therewith and of hook configuration providing for irreversible insertion thereof into the body. An elongate electronic article surveillance (EAS) marker or tag is disposed in an interior recess defined within the body. The body defines detent structure for effecting retention of the securement member in the body. In addition to the body, the EAS marker and the tail, the seal of the '932 patent has plates bearing logo/article indication applied to the body to close the same.

In use of the seal, the tail is passed through an opening of an article of manufacture, e.g., a watch band of a watch, and the securement member is then inserted into the body. The EAS marker is rendered inactive at checkout of the article of manufacture.

Where fraudulent avoidance of checkout (shop-lifting) occurs, the marker is sensed by EAS systems, e.g., at store exits, and suitable alarm is generated.

Other EAS marker containing seals are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,945,909 and 6,157,302, which are commonly assigned to the assignee of the subject patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has as its primary object to provide an improved EAS marker containing seal.

More particularly, the invention has as its object to provide an EAS marker containing seal which can be adapted to the size of an article to be protected thereby.

In attaining these and other objects, the invention provides an EAS marker containing seal comprising a housing defining an interior seating an EAS marker and a latching structure adjacent an end of the housing. The housing has a flexible tail extending outwardly thereof and the tail defines a plurality of latching apertures. The housing defines an opening distal from each of the latching structure and the interior recess and of dimensions permitting entry of a free end of the tail into the housing members. The housing further defines an interior channel permitting movement of the tail over and beyond the EAS marker into the interior of the housing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing defines a hinge supporting the latching structure for pivotal movement to provide access to the opening, interior walls upstanding from a floor of the housing and guiding movement of the tail into and in the housing and further interior walls depending downwardly from a ceiling of the housing and bounding the channel.

The housing may be comprised of first and second housing members peripherally secured to one another, one of the first and second housing members defining the recess, and wherein the tail is integral with the other of the first and second housing members.

In a further aspect, the invention provides, in combination, a seal comprising a housing defining an interior recess seating an EAS member and latching structure adjacent an end of the housing, a flexible tail extending outwardly of the housing and defining a plurality of latching apertures, the housing defining an opening distal from each of the latching structure and the recess and of dimensions permitting entry of a free end of the tail into the housing, the housing further defining an interior channel permitting movement of the tail over and beyond the EAS marker, and an article of manufacture, the tail being in circumscribing relation to the article of manufacture and secured therewith by the latching structure.

The invention will be further understood from consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof and from the drawings where like reference numerals identify like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan elevation of a first housing member in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view as would be seen from plane II—II of FIG. <b>1</b>.

FIG. 3 is a top plan elevation of a second housing member in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation of FIG. <b>3</b>.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a seal of the invention in assembly with a portion of an article to be protected thereby.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view as would be seen from plane VI—VI of FIG. <b>5</b>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the seal of the invention is constituted by EAS marker <b>10</b>, first housing member <b>12</b> and second housing member <b>14</b>. Members <b>12</b> and <b>14</b> are preferably one-piece molded plastic bodies.

As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, first housing member <b>12</b> has tail <b>16</b> extending outwardly thereof, the tail having a plurality of latching apertures <b>18</b>. Detent opening <b>20</b> is formed in first housing member <b>12</b> adjacent tail <b>16</b> as are L-shaped walls <b>22</b> and <b>24</b> which extend upwardly from floor <b>26</b> and define channel <b>28</b>, which is open upwardly and downwardly in FIG. <b>1</b>. Housing member <b>12</b> further includes assembly lugs <b>30</b> and <b>32</b>.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, second housing member <b>14</b> defines an upper latching part <b>34</b> having latching hook <b>36</b> extending outwardly thereof, latching part being supported by hinge <b>38</b>.

L-shaped walls <b>40</b> and <b>42</b> extend upwardly from floor <b>44</b> laterally aside straight walls <b>46</b> and <b>48</b>, also extending upwardly from floor <b>44</b>. Recess <b>50</b> is formed in floor <b>44</b> and EAS marker <b>10</b> is seated in recess <b>50</b>. Second housing member further defines assembly slots <b>52</b> and <b>54</b>.

In assembling the seal, housing member <b>12</b> is placed atop housing member <b>14</b>, with lugs <b>30</b> and <b>32</b> nesting in slots <b>52</b> and <b>54</b>. The peripheries of the housing members are then secured to one another, preferably by heat sealing.

In FIG. 5, assembled seal <b>56</b> is shown in engagement with article of manufacture <b>58</b>, e.g., a bracelet. In reaching the FIG. 5 assembly, tail <b>16</b> is wrapped about article <b>58</b> and latching part <b>34</b> is pivoted about hinge <b>38</b> (FIG. 3) to permit the free end <b>16</b><i>a </i>(FIG. 1) of tail <b>16</b> to be inserted into channel <b>28</b> (FIG. <b>1</b>). Tail <b>16</b> is then further pushed through channel <b>28</b> until the tail is in tightly circumscribing relation to article <b>58</b>. Latching hook <b>36</b> (FIG. 3) is then forced into the one of apertures <b>18</b> then in registry with detent opening <b>20</b> (FIG. 1) until latching hook abuts on the outer (rear) surface of housing member <b>12</b>, thereby securing seal <b>56</b> with article <b>58</b>.

As is seen in the partial sectional view of FIG. 6, tail <b>16</b> (shown unsectioned) rides in channel <b>28</b> atop straight walls <b>46</b> and <b>48</b> interiorly of L-shaped walls <b>22</b> and <b>24</b>. Walls <b>46</b> and <b>48</b> extend upwardly of EAS marker <b>10</b>, thereby permitting movement of tail <b>16</b> over and beyond EAS marker <b>10</b> into the open interior of housing member <b>12</b>, i.e., in non-interfering relation to EAS marker <b>10</b>.

Various changes may be introduced in the disclosed preferred embodiment and practices without departing from the invention. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the true spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.